Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Tension heightened in Kano on Friday after a heavily armed detachment of police officers stormed the office of a Kano-based lawyer known for investigating alleged large-scale corruption under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The lawyer, who has become a prominent public critic of the previous administration, was reportedly arrested for the second time in what colleagues describe as a sustained attempt to silence him.
According to eyewitnesses, a truckload of operatives, wielding rifles and tactical gear, arrived at his chambers in the early afternoon, blocked surrounding roads, and forcibly entered the premises. Staff members said the officers acted aggressively from the moment they arrived, issuing threats and warning occupants to stay out of their way.
One staffer, still shaken by the incident, explained: “They didn’t even knock. They jumped out of their truck and began shouting at everyone. One of them yelled that they would ‘open fire on anything that may come their way’ if anyone tried to stop them. We were terrified.”
Colleagues and associates insist the latest arrest—coming months after the first—clearly relates to the lawyer’s ongoing investigation into alleged financial mismanagement and bribery schemes linked to the Ganduje administration. His probe has drawn significant public attention, especially after he petitioned anti-graft agencies and released preliminary findings.
A close associate described Friday’s action as “a dangerous escalation,” saying:
“This is not law enforcement; this is intimidation. They want to break him because he is uncovering things some people do not want Nigerians to see. If the police believe he has committed an offence, they should invite him, not attack his office like criminals.”
The lawyer was reportedly arrested without being shown a warrant, and his office was searched as officers carted away documents, digital devices, and case files. Clients who were present during the raid said they were pushed aside as officers took control of the building.
One client who witnessed the invasion said:
“I have never seen anything like this in my life. They pointed guns at us and ordered us to face the wall. Everyone was in panic. This is not how a democracy should work.”
Members of the legal community have condemned the raid, describing it as a brazen assault on the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession. A senior member of the Kano Bar said the police must be held accountable for what he called “an unlawful and politically motivated operation.”
In his words,
“Lawyers must never be targeted for doing their work. If this continues, no one will be safe to pursue justice or accountability. The police owe the public an explanation, and this matter must not be swept under the carpet.”
Civil society groups have also joined in the condemnation, calling for an immediate release of the lawyer and an investigation into the actions of the police officers involved. They argue that the incident underscores a worsening pattern of harassment against whistleblowers and individuals exposing corruption.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement clarifying the reasons behind both the raid and the arrest. The silence has only fueled public speculation and concern about growing political interference in law enforcement matters.
The situation continues to generate strong reactions across Kano, with many warning that such aggressive tactics threaten not only the integrity of anti-corruption efforts but also the fundamental rights of citizens who choose to speak truth to power.
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